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3 killed, 17 wounded in Ukraine from Russian attacks, as Spain highlights European support for Kyiv

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:44 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian officials on Saturday morning reported more civilian casualties from Russian shelling in the country’s east and south, as a visit by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez began in Kyiv as a show of continuing support from Madrid and the European Union for Ukraine’s fight to dislodge invading Russian forces from its territory.In an address to Ukraine’s parliament that received several standing ovations, Sánchez said, “We’ll be with you as long as it takes.”“I am here to express the firm determination of the European (Union) and Europe against the illegal and unjustified Russian aggression to Ukraine,” he said on the day that Spain took over the six-month rotating presidency of the 27-nation EU.Sánchez will meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with the two set to give a joint news conference on Saturday afternoon. Elsewhere in Ukraine, regional officials reported that at least three civilians were killed and at least 17 more wounded by Russian s...

ATCEMS: 1 dead in auto-pedestrian crash on I-35 flyover ramp

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:44 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — One person died after an auto-pedestrian crash on a flyover ramp late Friday, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.It happened just before midnight on a flyover ramp from northbound I-35 to East Ben White Boulevard.ATCEMS said an adult was pronounced dead at the scene. Traffic delays were expected at the time, according to ATCEMS.

New affordable housing is on its way to Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:44 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — At a meeting Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court approved $6.5 million in loan documents for Foundation Communities' affordable housing project, Juniper Creek. It's expected to open in late 2023 at 11630 North Lamar Boulevard.The project is meant to mainly benefit families making below 60% of the area's median income, with 20% of units set aside for those experiencing homelessness.The construction of the 110 units is expected to be completed by February 2025.Previously, the court had approved a contract from Mobile Loaves and Fishes for their Community First! village for $35 million, and a $3 million contract with The Other Ones Foundation for their Esperanza community.It also unanimously approved a Caritas Affordable housing contract that gives $6.4 million to the Cairn Point at Cameron development to help those experiencing homelessness.Earlier this year, Foundation Communities opened a different affordable housing project called Zilker Studios.KXAN Inve...

Hmong ‘J4’ Freedom Festival returns this weekend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:44 GMT

For more than four decades, the Hmong International Freedom Festival has brought Hmong athletes from around the world to the McMurray Fields at St. Paul’s Como Park, where teams compete in soccer, volleyball, flag football and traditional southeast sports such as Kato and Top Spin. There’s even competitive cornhole.When the 41st annual “Hmong J4” tournament returns Saturday, researchers from the University of Minnesota Extension Service will be there to survey the crowds about how much fun they’re having and why.For Xinyi “Lisa” Qian, director of extension’s tourism center, the questions are far from frivolous. Some 57,000 visitors have been known to attend “J4” across two days, some from as far away as France and Thailand, making the festival the largest Hmong gathering in the world.Qian is one of the principal organizers of the U’s economic study of the Freedom Festival, which contracted with the U’s tourism c...

Storms cause significant damage in Columbia, Illinois

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:44 GMT

COLUMBIA, Ill. -- Severe storms tore through the Columbia Lakes subdivision, leaving behind a trail of destruction. Lakeshore Drive, one of the areas directly impacted, witnessed the power of the storm as trees were uprooted and fencing sustained damage.This area experienced a direct hit from the storms that were in the area before 7 p.m. Friday night. The aftermath reveals a fallen tree and fencing damage. The force of the storm was so intense that power poles were snapped, posing risks to residents. Authorities are urging caution regarding any downed power lines this morning. Severe storms may impact the St. Louis area Saturday Despite the ongoing power issues in the subdivision, the silver lining is that no injuries have been reported in this area or elsewhere. We spoke with residents who experienced the storm firsthand, and they described a sudden shift from a calm atmosphere to a rapidly changing and intense weather event.Stay informed about local updates and heed official wa...

Severe storms may impact the St. Louis area Saturday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:44 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Residents in the St. Louis metro area should be ready for another round of storms today, although the exact location of impact remains somewhat uncertain. The National Weather Service reports that the highest threat of severe weather is expected to be along and south of I-70. St. Louis radar: See a map of current weather here The timeframe for this round of storms is forecasted to occur during the afternoon and early evening, predominantly between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. During this period, residents should remain vigilant and be prepared for adverse weather conditions.The primary threats associated with these storms include damaging winds, with gusts potentially reaching speeds of up to 70 mph. Additionally, large hail is possible, measuring up to an inch in diameter. While unlikely, the risk of a tornado cannot be completely ruled out.As always, staying informed and keeping a close eye on weather updates throughout the day is essential. Take precautions to ensure your sa...

Cardinals and St. Louis City SC games may bring crowds Downtown during severe weather

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:44 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- With more severe storms possible today, there are legitimate safety concerns due to the large number of people expected downtown. Two Major League Baseball games and one Major League Soccer game will have a lot of people outdoors when the storms are expected to sweep through the area.ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JUNE 30: Fans wait out a rain delay prior to the the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Yankees at Busch Stadium on June 30, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri. he game has been postponed and will be played as a double-header on July 1, 2023. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)The Cardinals game against the Yankees Friday night was postponed ad will now take place today as part of a doubleheader at Busch Stadium. The first game of the doubleheader is scheduled to start at 1:15 p.m. followed by the second game at 6:15 p.m. Fans are advised to stay updated on any further changes to the schedule. St. Louis radar: See a map of current weather here In addit...

Storms cause widespread power outages in Illinois and Missouri

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:44 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Strong storms moving through the St. Louis area have caused power outages. Ameren crews are working to restore power to the thousands of customers left in the dark.Power outage map from AmerenThere are around 13,000 Ameren customers without service in Missouri and 100,000 in the state of Missouri. The storm damage appears to be more significant throughout the entire state of Illinois, and not just in the St. Louis area.The utility posted the following statement on its website:"We are aware of outages and impacted customers following severe weather. Our Incident Management Team (IMT) has been activated to coordinate restoration of power outages caused by a strong line of thunderstorms that moved across our service territory.Make sure you're receiving important information and updates about your service. Check that your cell phone number and email address are up to date on your Online Account.Working to restore power after a storm can be complex."See a map of the outages ...

The Taliban government runs on WhatsApp. There’s just one problem.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:44 GMT

KABUL, Afghanistan — Late one night two months ago, a team of Taliban security officers assembled on the outskirts of Afghanistan’s capital to prepare for a raid on an Islamic State group hideout.As the zero hour approached, the men fiddled with their automatic rifles while their leader, Habib Rahman Inqayad, scrambled to get the exact location of their target. He grabbed his colleagues’ phones and called their superiors, who insisted they had sent him the location pin of the target to his WhatsApp.There was just one problem: WhatsApp had blocked his account to comply with U.S. sanctions.“The only way we communicate is WhatsApp — and I didn’t have access,” said Inqayad, 25, whom The New York Times has followed since the Taliban seized power in August 2021.He was not alone. In recent months, complaints from Taliban officials, police and soldiers of their WhatsApp accounts being banned or temporarily deactivated have become widespread, disruptions that have illuminated how...

No. 1 again: Keenan Hayes tops bareback world rankings

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:42:44 GMT

Pro Rodeo’s top bareback rider in the world once again hails from Northwest Colorado.Related ArticlesSports | What to do in Denver this weekend: “Star Wars” celebs at Fan Expo, Greeley Stampede Hayden’s Keenan Hayes has been in a back-and-forth battle for the No. 1 bareback ranking all season against Leighton Berry of Weatherford, Texas. But after a three-rodeo weekend, Hayes for now has taken back the lead.A top ranking is something the 20-year-old has worked for since he was a child growing up in Routt County, and he said it means the world to see himself in the top spot once again.“It’s been something I’ve been working for my entire life and you just have to keep working at it,” Hayes said. “It’s pretty awesome to see, especially being so young and that being my main goal for my whole life.”Full story via Steamboat Pilot & TodayWant more sports news? Sign up for the Sports Omelette to get all our analysis on Denver’s teams.